An early look at top players available for 2016 NFL Draft

This time a year ago, Marcus Mariota was projected as the top pick in the 2015 draft.

As it turns out, he went second.

Ten of the 20 picks we projected as top prospects for 2015 went in the first round. Two underclassmen on our list returned to school. One went in the third round, three in the fourth, one in the fifth, one in the sixth and Oregon cornerback Ifo Ekpre-Olomu went in the seventh round after shredding his knee.

Much will change between now and a year from now, but here are 11 seniors and 11 underclassmen to watch for the 2016 draft:

Seniors

Shilique Calhoun, DE, Michigan State (6-4, 257): He received a first-day grade from the NFL Draft Advisory Board for this year, having made 15.5 sacks, 26.5 tackles for loss, 26 quarterback hurries and three forced fumbles the past two years.

Connor Cook, QB, Michigan State (6-4, 218): He has completed 58.3 percent of his passes for 6,063 yards with 47 touchdowns and 15 interceptions.

Sheldon Day, DT, Notre Dame (6-2, 285): He has made 96 tackles, 16.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks in his career.

Taylor Decker, OT, Ohio State (6-7, 315): After 26 starts at right tackle, he moves to left tackle this season.

Josh Doctson, WR, TCU (6-3, 190): The Wyoming transfer has played 37 career games, making 136 receptions for 1,851 yards and 20 touchdowns.

Spencer Drango, OT, Baylor (6-5, 315): He enters his third season as the Bears’ starting LT after the NFL Draft Advisory Board advised him to return.

Shawn Oakman, DE, Baylor (6-8, 278): The Penn State transfer, who had 18.5 tackles for loss and 10 sacks last season, would have been a top pick this year.

Dak Prescott, QB, Mississippi State (6-1, 230): He has completed 60.4 percent of his passes in his career for 5,583 yards with 41 touchdowns and 18 interceptions. He’s also rushed for 1,933 yards and 31 touchdowns.

Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame (6-5, 315): He started 13 games at right tackle as a sophomore and 13 games at left tackle last season, allowing only one sack.

D’haquille Williams, WR, Auburn (6-2, 216): He made 45 receptions for 730 yards and five touchdowns in 10 games last season.

Underclassmen

Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State (6-5, 278 pounds): The early favorite to be the No. 1 overall pick after making 99 tackles, 34.5 tackles for loss and 21 sacks in two seasons.

Cardale Jones, QB, Ohio State (6-5, 250): He lacks experience but did the most with his opportunity with 742 passing yards and six total touchdowns in the Big Ten championship, Sugar Bowl and national title game.

Robert Nkemdiche, DT, Mississippi (6-4, 280): In 24 games, he has made 69 tackles, 12 tackles for loss and four sacks.

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